walls guarded by armed men. For Giovanni Moretti, it spoke to his dominance, a place where he ruled wi

ngs. Gleaming marble floors reflected soft light from the chandeliers above, while walls

ussing some matters with his advisors relating to the cartel, and as was expected, Isabella had been allowed to sit quietly and

All her life, she had known she was living on borrowed ground, a mere pawn in the games he

om of hers, elegant, refined, yet incredibly restrained. The soft cream walls were accentuated with an eclectic mix of antique

e she could never have. She had always dreamed of freedom - a life where she could make her own choices. But s

shed painting. The art had always been her get-away, one way of recording the emotions never to be

m. Alejandro Vega. She had felt his gaze on him, seen the intensity in his eyes. It had been unnerving, yet exciting.

d in the shadows. She had heard stories of how he had risen through the ranks of the Vegas cartel, how he had earne

She couldn't afford to be distracted, not now, when her father's rule w

pect and brooked no opposition, filling the room. Tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and piercing eyes that seem

d calmly yet firml

ont of her father. "Of course, Father," she managed in a steady voice. Giovanni strode over to her, eyes scanning the

w how it would all turn

re my most valuable asset, Isabella. You are to cement alliances, to se

o nod, her throat tight w

r shoulder, the grip firm but not unkind. "Yo

oment, her mind racing. She knew what her father expected of her, knew that her life was not her own. But

ind a way out, get a life of her own. But for the time being, she would be the obedient child, t

Vulner

ut, with a script that seemed to be carved in stone. She would meet her father and his advisors, lis

g eyes of the guards set by her father to follow her everywhere. The garden was a haven-beautiful and peaceful. In t

Drawing was another form of escape, a way to express the emotions she couldn't voice. As she

of rising star in the Vegas cartel and just how ruthless an ambitious streak he ran. Still, there had to be more to it than

the shadows but actually seemed to revel in them. She had little doubt he wanted her, but she also knew his intentions were far from pure. H

d the window of her protection just for a moment and felt all the emotions suppressed insi

n her face, and for a mere instant, she allowed herself the dream of what it might have been-like going he

ept her into a world of realism once again, and she quelled everythin

den, his expression impassive. "Miss Moretti," he said, his vo

t meant - another meeting, another reminder of duty. She sto

, her voice steady. "

her father's control was absolute, that escape was impossible. Yet, somehow, she couldn't h

r her, but deep inside, she knew this living couldn't continue

inding her of a life she was trapped in. Isabella's resolve was bigger than ever. She would fi